Briefs

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
03/08/2013 06:39:17 AM EST

Brennan cleared as CIA director

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Brennan won Senate confirmation Thursday to head the CIA after a late struggle that had more to do with presidential power to order drone strikes than with the nominee's credentials to lead the spy agency.

The Senate voted 63-34 to give Brennan the top job at the nation's spy agency. He will replace Michael Morrell, the acting CIA director since November.

The vote came after the Obama administration bowed to demands from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to specify limits on the president's authority to order drone strikes against American citizens in the United States.

Cab driver: 'Should have died' in crash

NEW YORK (AP) -- The driver of the livery cab that was taking an expectant couple to a New York hospital when it was crushed by an oncoming car says he doesn't know why he's alive.

In a statement provided Thursday by the New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers, Pedro Nunez says he "should have died" along with Nachman and Raizy Glauber, both 21, who died Sunday.

Their premature son, delivered by cesarean section, died Monday.

Nunez was knocked unconscious but was not seriously hurt.

Julio Acevedo, the man accused of driving the car that hit Nunez's vehicle, was brought back to New York City Thursday after being taken into custody Wednesday in Pennsylvania.

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Nunez says he hadn't slept in days hoping for Acevedo's arrest.

N. Korea hit by UN sanctions after test

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. Security Council responded swiftly to North Korea's latest nuclear test by punishing the reclusive regime Thursday with tough, new sanctions targeting its economy and leadership, despite Pyongyang's threat of a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the United States.

The penalties came in a unanimous resolution drafted by the U.S. along with China, which is North Korea's main benefactor. Beijing said the focus now should be to "defuse the tensions" by restarting negotiations.

The resolution sent a powerful message to North Korea's new young leader, Kim Jong Un, that the international community condemns his defiance of Security Council bans on nuclear and ballistic tests and is prepared to take even tougher action if he continues flouting international obligations.

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